LESSON 21

I am determined to see things differently.

1 The idea for
today is obviously a continuation and extension of the preceding one.
This time, however, specific mind searching periods are necessary, in
addition to applying the idea to particular situations as they may
arise. Five practice periods are urged, allowing a full minute for
each.

2 In the
practice periods, begin by repeating the idea to yourself. Then close
your eyes and search your mind carefully for situations past, present
or anticipated that arouse anger in you. The anger may take the form
of any reaction ranging from mild irritation to rage. The degree of
the emotion you experience does not matter. You will become
increasingly aware that a slight twinge of annoyance is nothing but a
veil drawn over intense fury.

3 Try,
therefore, not to let the "little" thoughts of anger escape
you in the practice periods. Remember that you do not really
recognize what arouses anger in you, and nothing that you believe in
this connection means anything. You will probably be tempted to dwell
more on some situations or persons than on others, on the fallacious
grounds that they are more "obvious." This is not so. It is
merely an example of the belief that some forms of attack are more
justified than others.

4 As you
search your mind for all the forms in which attack thoughts present
themselves, hold each one in mind while you tell yourself:

I am determined to see ________ [name of person]
differently.
I am determined to see ________ [specify the situation]
differently.

5 Try to be as
specific as possible. You may, for example, focus your anger on a
particular attribute of a particular person, believing that the anger
is limited to this aspect. If your perception is suffering from this
form of distortion, say:

I am determined to see _________ [specify the
attribute] in _________ [name of person] differently.